How do you screen for reliability and filter out self-centered/selfish nature in dating in real life and online dating? And, how do you find out whether a person (for dating or friendship) is a 'giver' or a 'taker'?
By reliability and being a giver, I don't mean something as trivial as calling when they say they will. I mean more like being there for you when you are going through one or more major challenging life events, putting the relationship and "us" before individual interests especially when the going gets rough for you and not for them individually.
Does this kind of reliability even exist among partners and can one really, truly, deeply trust another human being or do you feel you always have to watch your back even with a partner of months or years or decades?
posted by xm
on May 7, 2013 -
20 answers
An 18-year-old girl I met online who I'm interested in dating's parents (who, I should note, are still financially supporting her) want all sorts of my info before they'll let her meet me and I believe they want it regardless if she meets me here or if I meet her there. Her parents want, among other things: My address and addresses and phone numbers of various family members of mine; scans of pieces of my ID; to check if I have a criminal record.
Is it wrong of me to want to withhold this info from them?
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 27, 2013 -
96 answers
I feel like I'm stuck in that awkward phase of a relationship between dating and when things become serious. I'm ready for something more. I'm not sure my boyfriend is, and I'm concerned. Snowflakes abound.
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posted by erstwhile
on Oct 15, 2011 -
20 answers
Started seeing a new guy very recently. I know for a fact that he had a a boyfriend when we met; however, he claims that things haven't been working out and that they're "taking a break." How do you know whether to believe someone if you haven't known them very long?
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posted by Vinegaroon
on Dec 28, 2010 -
15 answers
Is it detrimental to date a psychiatrist (not my own) after being in an emotionally abusive relationship?
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 13, 2010 -
24 answers
My girlfriend of a significant amount of time posted a naked picture of herself online without ever talking to me about it... am I wrong to be bothered by this?
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posted by doompuppy
on Nov 16, 2010 -
84 answers
Ran into my sister's boyfriend holding hands with another woman. She's trying to figure out what to do now. Advice on setting new limits and ground rules?
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posted by anonymous
on May 19, 2010 -
60 answers
How do I get over trust/anxiety issues in a new relationship, with an assist from email snooping?
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 6, 2010 -
17 answers
I'm living overseas and am interested in dating a guy that I've met here. The problem is that he lives in a community where the men have a reputation for loving and leaving foreign women - how do I know if he's different from the rest?
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posted by scrute
on May 9, 2008 -
17 answers
